Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun/MCTPresident Barack Obama, joined by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, left, and Budget Director Jack Lew at a briefing at Parkville Middle School and Center of Technology in Baltimore, Maryland.

"I don’t think, frankly, we need another study to demonstrate the long-term benefits of quality early childhood programs," Duncan said during a teleconference. "Scaling back on early childhood programs is something that is not in the best interest of our communities, or ultimately our states, because we have to close achievement gaps."

The plan, submitted to Gov. Chris Christie’s office by the Senate Republican caucus, calls for funding only half-day preschools in urban districts and diverting the $300 million saved from the cuts to suburban schools.

Under the proposal, districts would also qualify for more state funding if they bus students greater distances or have large populations of senior citizens. There would also be a $30 million grant program to promote accountability in urban schools and $50 million for schools that demonstrate the most efficiency.

"Half-day programs that are two and a half or three hours, that’s not enough time for children and I don’t know how working families or a mom working two or three jobs trying to make ends meet, I don’t see how these families could negotiate that or figure that out," Duncan said.

Senate Republicans shot back today, saying the state doesn’t have a choice.

"New Jersey’s broke, and if we had unlimited resources it would certainly be nice to fund all the programs under the sun, but we don’t," said Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Warren).

Doherty said taxpayers in suburban towns are bearing the brunt of the funding for urban schools, while being slighted on funding for their own schools. "It’s not about the kids, it’s about the taxpayers who live in the various communities," he said. "It’s free preschool being paid for by the rest of us."

Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union) said Senate Republicans are "leading the discussion about how to invest in our children’s futures while restoring fairness to the way we fund schools for every taxpayer in New Jersey."

Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said the plan is not a an administration proposal. At a town hall meeting in Union City last week, Christie declined comment on the future of full-day preschool when asked by an audience member. He said he would address the issue in his budget speech next Tuesday.

Duncan also unveiled a proposal that would let states compete for $350 million in federal money to fund high-quality early childhood education.